Campus Reform reports the course teaches American immigration policy is based on "racial superiority."
Campus Reform obtained the Spring 2024 and Spring 2025 syllabi for the course Legal Studies 132AC: Immigration and Citizenship. The course is slated to be offered again in Spring 2026.
The syllabi contain dozens of required readings that repeatedly claim ICE, federal immigration law, and border enforcement are rooted in “white supremacy.”
There are no required materials that defend the role of immigration law in protecting national security or discuss the constitutional basis for federal enforcement powers. There is also nothing that defends ICE officers.
Brad Dacus of the Pacific Justice Institute says Berkeley is not violating the law because universities are given tremendous discretion in what they teach.
“The real infringement here is not so much a violation of state or federal law, but rather the trust of the parents who are sending their children to such institutions. Courses are to increase critical thinking in universities, not blatant political extremist indoctrination."
Dacus further notes two deportation attorneys, who will undoubtedly show prejudice against ICE, are teaching the course.
“The two professors teaching this course reportedly are themselves criminal defense, immigration attorneys. There’s no balance here. It's a clear and blatant bias with a radical agenda that will not serve to benefit students."
